System for magnetic mounting and registration of sensors to grid ceilings

ABSTRACT

A system for repeatably mounting an image sensor to a grid ceiling comprising: a mounting member defining an upper face; a set of magnets fixed to the upper face and characterized by a height greater than a protrusion distance of the outer surface of a ceiling tile of the grid ceiling below a grid segment of the grid ceiling; a detachable registration feature transiently coupled to the mounting member, configured to align with the grid ceiling while the set of magnetics are magnetically coupled to the grid ceiling, configured to adhere to the grid ceiling while the set of magnets are magnetically coupled to the grid ceiling, and configured to detach from the upper face and remain adhered to the grid ceiling in response to vertical displacement of the mounting member away from the grid ceiling.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.62/939,549, filed on 22 Nov. 2019, which is incorporated in its entiretyby this reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates generally to the field of ceiling mountinghardware and more specifically to a new and useful method for repeatablymounting sensors to ferromagnetic ceiling features in the field ofceiling mounting hardware.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a system;

FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of the system;

FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of the system;

FIG. 4 is a schematic representation of the system;

FIG. 5 is a schematic representation of the system;

FIG. 6 is a schematic representation of the system;

FIG. 7 is a schematic representation of the system;

FIG. 8 is a schematic representation of the system; and

FIG. 9 is a schematic representation of the system.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

The following description of embodiments of the invention is notintended to limit the invention to these embodiments but rather toenable a person skilled in the art to make and use this invention.Variations, configurations, implementations, example implementations,and examples described herein are optional and are not exclusive to thevariations, configurations, implementations, example implementations,and examples they describe. The invention described herein can includeany and all permutations of these variations, configurations,implementations, example implementations, and examples.

1. System

As shown FIG. 1 , a mounting system 100 (hereinafter “the system 100”)for repeatably mounting a ceiling fixture to a grid ceiling, including aset of ceiling tiles supported by an assembly of grid segments, includesa mounting member 110 defining an upper face 112 and a lower face 114opposite the upper face 112. The system 100 also includes a first magnet122: fixed to the upper face 112; characterized by a first heightgreater than a protrusion distance of the outer surface of a ceilingtile in the set of ceiling tiles below a grid segment in the assembly ofgrid segments; and characterized by a first width less than an exposedwidth of the grid segment. The system 100 additionally includes a secondmagnet 124 fixed to the upper face 112 and characterized by the firstheight. The system 100 further includes a registration feature 13 o:arranged on the upper face 112; configured to align with the assembly ofgrid segments while the first magnet 122 and the second magnet 124 aremagnetically coupled to the assembly of grid segments; characterized bya second height less than the first height; and characterized by asecond width less than the exposed width of the grid segment.

As shown in FIG. 9 , one variation of the system 100 includes: amounting member 110 defining an upper face 112. This variation of thesystem 100 also includes a first magnet 122: fixed to the upper face 12;characterized by a first height greater than a protrusion distance ofthe outer surface of a ceiling tile in the set of ceiling tiles below agrid segment in the assembly of grid segments; and characterized by afirst width less than an exposed width of the grid segment. Thisvariation of the system 100 additionally includes a second magnet 124:fixed to the upper face 12; and characterized by the first height. Thisvariation of the system 100 further includes a detachable registrationfeature 132: transiently coupled to the mounting member 110;characterized by a second width less than the exposed width of the gridsegment; configured to align with the assembly of grid segments whilethe first magnet 122 and the second magnet 124 are magnetically coupledto the assembly of grid segments; configured to adhere to the assemblyof grid segments while the first magnet 122 and the second magnet 124are magnetically coupled to the assembly of grid segments; andconfigured to detach from the upper face 112 and remain adhered to theassembly of grid segments in response to vertical displacement of theupper face 112 away from the assembly of grid segments.

2. Mounting Kit

A mounting kit 200 for repeatably mounting an image sensor to a gridceiling including a set of ceiling tiles supported by an assembly ofgrid segments, includes the mounting system 100 and a set of adaptersincluding a drywall adapter 220, a non-tegular adapter 230, and/or afixture adapter 210 configured to connect to the image sensor.

3. Applications

Generally, a mounting system (hereinafter “the system 100”), shown inFIG. 1 , enables a user to securely and repeatably mount sensors (e.g.,image sensor), lighting elements, or other ceiling fixtures to a gridceiling (i.e. a suspended ceiling, dropped ceiling, T-bar ceiling, orfalse ceiling) via magnetic coupling to a ferromagnetic grid of the gridceiling while also facilitating replacement, by a user, of these ceilingfixtures in the same position relative to the grid ceiling afterdetachment of the system 100 from the grid ceiling—all without requiringthe use of tools to remove or attach the system 100 from the gridceiling. More specifically, the system 100 includes a mounting member110, a set of magnets 120 affixed to an upper face 112 of the mountingmember 110, and a set of registration features 130 arranged on the upperface 112 of the mounting member 110 that are configured to fit betweentegular ceiling panels of the grid ceiling. Because of the system'smagnetic attachment mechanism to the grid ceiling, the system 100 canfacilitate attachment, removal, and replacement of ceiling fixtures toand from grid ceilings without necessitating access to the space abovethe grid ceiling (e.g., via removal of ceiling panels) and without theuse of tools such as screwdrivers, wrenches, etc. Thus, the system 100can enable easy battery replacement (e.g., for smoke and carbon dioxidedetectors, battery powered lighting ceiling fixtures, passive infraredsensors, visual sensors), replacement of expired lighting elements orother components, and/or other general maintenance for ceiling fixturesinstalled on the grid ceiling.

Additionally, the system 100 can enable precise replacement of theseceiling fixtures, via the arrangement of the set of magnets 120 on themounting member 110 and the arrangement of the registration feature 130on the upper face 112 of the mounting member 110, by causinginterference between these features of the system 100 and tegularceiling panels of the grid ceiling when the system 100 is not positionedcorrectly relative to an intersection or segment of the grid ceiling.Thus, as a user replaces the system 100 and an attached ceiling fixtureonto the grid ceiling, the system 100 guides the user to reposition thesystem 100 in the same position from which it was removed (assumingplacement proximal to the same grid intersection or segment).

In one example application of the system 100, a set of image sensorsmust be arranged on a grid ceiling such that the field of view of eachsensor minimally overlaps with the fields of view of its neighboringsensors, the precise placement of each sensor in the grid ceiling may bepre-mapped or otherwise predetermined. Therefore, precisepost-maintenance replacement of each sensor to its prior positionrelative to the grid ceiling can maintain full coverage over a workspacefor this set of optical sensors as these optical sensors are servicedover time. The system 100 can therefore enable users to effectivelyperform maintenance tasks on sets of passive infrared sensors, opticalsensors, or other sensors that require precise positioning on the gridceiling as well as frequent maintenance.

The system 100 can be integrated directly with a ceiling fixture toenable direct mounting of the ceiling fixture to the grid ceiling.Alternatively, a single instance of the system 100 can be configured tomount multiple types of fixtures by interfacing with a set of fixtureadapters 210 via a set of attachment features such as brackets, throughholes, threaded bores, etc. Furthermore, a single instance of the system100 can be configured to mount to multiple types of grid ceilings orother types of ceiling by interfacing with a set of ceiling adapters220. Thus, in some implementations, the system 100 can be configured toattach multiple types of ceiling fixtures to multiple types of ceilings.

In one variation of the system 100, shown in FIG. 9 , the system 100includes a detachable registration feature 132 that, in addition tofacilitating alignment of the system 100 with the grid ceiling, alsostrongly adheres to the grid ceiling such that, when a user removes thesystem 100 from the grid ceiling, the detachable registration feature132 detaches from the mounting member 110 and remains attached to thegrid ceiling. Thus, when the user proceeds to replace the mountingmember 110 and attached ceiling fixture to the ceiling, the detachableregistration feature 132 can guide the user to position the mountingmember 110 at a repeatable location and orientation (i.e., within 0.5 cmand within 3.0 degrees of the original location and orientation of thesystem 100 relative to the grid ceiling) and physically constrain therotation and translation of the system 100 while the mounting member 110is magnetically coupled to the grid ceiling.

Generally, the system 100 is described herein with reference to a “gridceiling” including an assembly of grid segments (e.g., ferromagneticT-bar segments) and a set of tegular panels supported by the assembly ofgrid segments. However, variations of the system 100 can repeatably(e.g., to within 0.5 cm translation and 3.0 degrees of rotation) attachto other types of grid ceilings (e.g., non-tegular grid ceilings) and/orto other ferromagnetic surfaces that are vertical, horizontal, orinclined.

4. Mounting Member

Generally, the system 100 includes a mounting member 110, whichfunctions as the primary structural element of the system 100. Morespecifically, the mounting member 110 defines: an upper face 112defining the registration features 130 or to which the detachableregistration feature is transiently coupled, and to which the set ofmagnets 120 are coupled; and a lower face 114 which can includebrackets, through holes, or other attachment mechanisms configured toattach a ceiling fixture or adapter to the system 100 in order to attachthese ceiling fixtures to the grid ceiling.

The mounting member 110 can be manufactured from a structurally rigidmaterial sufficient to support the weight of a ceiling fixture forattachment to the ceiling grid such as a formed sheet metal, milledmetal, molded metal, or hard plastic. However, the system 100 caninclude a mounting member 110 including any type of material that cansupport the gravitational force of the ceiling fixture withoutsignificant deformation or degradation as the system 100 hangs from theset of magnets 120 that can be magnetically coupled with the ceilinggrid.

The mounting member 110 can define an upper face 112 that sitssubstantially parallel to the grid ceiling while the system 100 ismagnetically coupled to the grid ceiling enabling engagement ofregistration features 130 arranged on this surface with correspondingfeatures of the grid ceiling (e.g., exposed sections of the ceiling gridbetween tegular panels of the grid ceiling). In one implementation, themounting member 110 itself defines the registration features 130 asridges or extrusions of the upper face 112 of the mounting member 110.Alternatively, the mounting member 110 can define attachment points toenable attachment of the registration feature 130 to the upper face 112of the mounting member 110.

In one implementation, the mounting member 110 can include visualindicators (e.g., in the form of colored symbols or an asymmetricalshape) to indicate to a user the rotational orientation of the system100, thereby facilitating accurate placement of the system 100 onto thegrid ceiling.

5. Magnets

Generally, the system 100 includes a set of magnets 120 (e.g., permanentmagnets) fixed to the upper face 112 of the mounting member 110 that arecharacterized by a magnetic field strength sufficient to secure theweight of the system 100 and an attached ceiling fixture to the gridceiling via the attractive force generated by the set of magnets' 120proximity to the ferromagnetic grid of the grid ceiling. Morespecifically, the system 100 can include a set of magnets 120 fixed tothe upper face 112 of the mounting member 110 in an arrangement thataligns the set of magnets 120 with a recurring arrangement of theassembly of grid segments of the ceiling grid, wherein each magnet inthe set of magnets 120 is characterized by a height greater than aprotrusion distance of tegular panels (e.g., ceiling tiles) of the gridceiling below the grid of the grid ceiling and characterized by a widthless than an exposed width of the grid segments of the grid ceiling.Thus, while the set of magnets 120 are magnetically coupled to the gridsegments of the grid ceiling, the upper face 112 of the mounting member110 is positioned below the greatest downward extent of the tegularpanels of the grid ceiling below the outer surface of the assembly ofgrid segments (with the exception of any registration features 130integrated with the mounting member 110). Additionally, the system 100includes magnets of a width less than the exposed width of each gridsegment in the grid ceiling to prevent physical interference of themagnets with the tegular panels of the grid ceiling when the magnets arealigned with the assembly of grid segments.

For example, the system 100 can include a set of two inline magnetsconfigured to magnetically couple along a grid segment in the assemblyof grid segments. In another example, the system 100 can include a setof three magnets, two inline and one offset from the two inline magnets,configured to magnetically couple to two intersecting grid segments.Further variations in the number of magnets included in the set ofmagnets 120 and the arrangement of these magnets on the upper face 112of the mounting member 110 are further described below.

In one implementation, the set of magnets 120 includes a set ofpermanent magnets such as rare-earth neodymium magnets in order toincrease the strength of the magnetic field produced by these magnetsand, therefore, increasing the weight that can be supported by thesystem 100. However, the system 100 can also include other types ofpermanent magnets such as those manufactured from other ferromagneticmaterials such as alloys of iron, nickel, cobalt, etc. Additionally, themagnets can be coated or covered with a thin layer of a soft material(e.g., rubber, plastic, silicone) to prevent pinching of a user'sfingers between a magnet and the grid of the grid ceiling (or any otherferromagnetic object) during installation of the system 100.

The system 100 can include a set of magnets 120 that are securelyattached to the mounting member 110 via fasteners, such as nuts andbolts, via integrated retaining flanges (where each magnet is retainedunder a retaining structure, via co-molding of the set of magnets 120with the mounting member 110, or via heat staking of the set of magnets120 to the mounting member 110. The attachment between the set ofmagnets 120 and the mounting member 110 can withstand forces greaterthan the attraction force between the set of magnets 120 and the grid ofthe grid ceiling in order to enable separation of the system 100 fromthe grid ceiling without separating the mounting member 110 from the setof magnets 120. Therefore, each magnet in the set of magnets 120 isconfigured to interface with the attachment mechanisms for the magnets,thereby securing each magnet to the upper face 112 of the mountingmember 110. For example, the system 100 can include a nut and screwfastening mechanism to attach the set of magnets 120 to the mountingmember 110 and, in this example, the system 100 can include a set ofmagnets 120 defining a countersunk hole through the center of eachmagnet configured to interface with the head of the screw, therebyenabling the screw to pass through the center of the magnet and themounting member 110. Each magnet can then be fastened to the mountingmember 110 via attachment of a nut to the screw via the underside of themounting member 110.

The system 100 can include a set of magnets 120 defining a shapeconfigured to fit between tegular panels of the grid ceiling. Therefore,the system 100 can include a variety of magnet shapes. In oneimplementation, the system 100 includes a set of magnets 120 defining acylindrical shape in order to reduce the manufacturing cost of thesystem 100 because this magnet shape is the most commonly available. Inanother implementation, the system 100 includes a set of magnets 120defining an annular ring shape to facilitate attachment of the set ofmagnets 120 to the mounting member 110. Additionally or alternatively,the system 100 can include a set of magnets 120 that define arectangular horizontal cross-section, where one side of the width of therectangular cross section is less than the width of the exposed gridbetween tegular panels of the grid ceiling. These magnets that define arectangular horizontal cross-section can also include through holes orcountersinks to enable attachment of the set of magnets 120 to themounting member 110. However, the system 100 can include magnetsdefining any other shape that can fit between tegular panels of the gridceiling.

The system 100 can also include a set of magnets 120 that are fixed toand arranged across the upper face 112 of the mounting member 110 basedon the weight distribution (e.g., the center of gravity in thehorizontal plane) of the ceiling fixture configured to be attached tothe system 100 and mounted to the grid ceiling. For example, the system100 can include an arrangement of the set of magnets 120 that isrotationally symmetric about the center of gravity of the assembly ofthe system 100 and the attached ceiling fixture in the horizontal plane.However, the system 100 can include arrangements that deviate from thisrule when the magnetic force exerted by the magnets greatly exceeds theweight of the system 100 and attached ceiling fixture.

6. Registration Features

Generally, the system 100 can include a set of registration features 130arranged on the upper face 112 of the mounting member 110 and configuredto engage or align with gaps between tegular panels of the grid ceilingin order to further aid a user in aligning the system 100 with theceiling grid when placing the system 100 onto the grid ceiling. Morespecifically, the system 100 can include a registration feature 130:arranged on the upper face 112 of the mounting member 110; configured toalign with the grid of the grid ceiling while the set of magnets 120 ismagnetically coupled to the grid of the grid ceiling; characterized by aheight less than the height of the magnets; and characterized by a widthless than an exposed width of the grid of the grid ceiling. Thus, thesystem 100 includes registration features 130 that fit betweenprotruding tegular panels of the grid ceiling but do not come intocontact with the tegular panels or the grid itself when the system 100is correctly positioned relative to the grid of the grid ceiling and themagnets are magnetically coupled to the grid of the grid ceiling.Therefore, if a user attempts to magnetically couple the system 100 tothe grid of the grid ceiling in a manner that causes the registrationfeatures 130 to interfere with the tegular panels of the grid ceiling,the user may intuit that she will need to reposition the system 100relative to the grid in order to correctly position the system 100.

In one implementation, the set of registration features 130 areintegrated with the upper face 112 of the mounting member 110 and areextrusions of the material of the mounting member 110. Additionally oralternatively, the registration features 130 can be manufactured asseparate replaceable features that can be assembled with the mountingmember 110 to define particular offsets of the system 100 from anintersection of the grid of the grid ceiling. The particular arrangementof the set of registration features 130 on the upper face 112 of themounting member 110 is further described below with respect to thevariations enumerated.

7. Detachable Registration Feature

Generally, the system 100 can include a detachable registration feature132 that is initially coupled to the mounting member 110 of the system100 upon initial placement of the system 100 against the assembly ofgrid segments of the grid ceiling. During initial placement, thedetachable registration feature 132 strongly adheres (e.g., via magneticcoupling, chemical adhesive) to the assembly of grid segments such that,upon removal of the system 100 from the ceiling, the detachableregistration feature 132 decouples from the mounting member 110 andremains attached to the assembly of grid segments in the same positionand orientation with which the detachable registration feature wasinitially placed. When a user attempts to replace the mounting member110 and attached ceiling fixture to the grid ceiling via the set ofmagnets 120, the detachable registration feature 132 visually indicatesthe original position and orientation of the system 100 on the gridceiling and, via inclusion of a rotationally and translationallyconstraining engagement surface 134 on the detachable registrationfeature 132 and an interlocking surface 136 on the mounting member 110,the detachable registration feature 132 physically guides the mountingmember 110 and attached ceiling fixture back into the initial positionand orientation of the system 100 relative to the grid ceiling uponmagnetic coupling of the set of magnets 120 with the assembly of gridsegments. Thus, the system 100 can include the detachable registrationfeature to enable increased repeatability not limited by the slacktolerances of tegular panels spacing when resting on the assembly ofgrid segments.

In one implementation, the system 100 includes a detachable registrationfeature 132 defining an engagement surface 134 with the mounting member110 that is: configured to engage with an interlocking surface 136 ofthe mounting member 110 in response to replacement of the set of magnets(e.g., the first magnet 122 and the second magnet 124) against theassembly of grid segments when the mounting member 110 is placed overthe detachable registration feature 132; and configured to constrain anorientation and a location of the mounting member 110 relative to theassembly of grid segments in response to engagement with interlockingsurface 136 of the mounting member 110 and while the set of magnets 120are magnetically coupled to the assembly of grid segments and while thedetachable registration feature 132 is adhered to the assembly of gridsegments. In this implementation, the system 100 can include adetachable registration feature 132 defining an engagement surface 134with a set of rotationally asymmetric features (e.g., slots, bores,fillets, extrusions), which engage and/or interlock with correspondingfeatures of the interlocking surface 136 of the mounting member 110.Additionally, the system 100 can include a mounting member 110 defininga filleted or chamfered interlocking surface 136 that, when biasedagainst a correspondingly filleted or chamfered engagement surface 134of the detachable registration feature 132 (e.g., by the magneticattraction between the set of magnets 120 and the assembly of gridsegments) causes the mounting member 110 to rotate and/or translate toalign with the position and orientation of the detachable registrationfeature 132. For example, the engagement surface 134 of the detachableregistration feature 132 can define a filleted and/or chamfered L-shapedimpression and the interlocking surface 136 of the mounting member 110can define a matching L-shaped extrusion. Thus, when the interlockingsurface 136 is bias against the engagement surface 134 the features ofthe two surfaces interlock to slide the mounting member 110 intoapproximately the same position and orientation (relative to thedetachable registration feature 132 and the grid ceiling) into which themounting member 110 was initially placed.

In another implementation, the system 100 can include a detachableregistration feature 132 that is configured to adhere to the assembly ofgrid segments more strongly than the detachable registration feature 132is initially coupled to the mounting member 110. More specifically, thesystem 100 can include a detachable registration feature 132:transiently coupled to the mounting member 110 with a first adhesiveforce; and configured to adhere to the assembly of grid segments with asecond adhesive force greater than the first adhesive force. Thus, whena user applies a downward force to the mounting member 110 or theattached ceiling fixture in order to remove the system 100 from the gridceiling, the mounting member 110 and attached ceiling fixture detachfrom the detachable registration feature 132 and the detachableregistration feature 132 remains adhered to assembly of grid segments.

In the aforementioned implementation, the system 100 can include adetachable registration feature 132 including a grid adhesive mechanism138 and a mounting member coupling mechanism 140. In this example, thegrid adhesive mechanism 138 is configured to adhere to the assembly ofgrid segments more strongly that the mounting member coupling mechanismis configured to couple to the mounting member 110, thereby enabling thedetachable registration feature to remain attached to the assembly ofgrid segments upon removal of the mounting member 110 from the assemblyof grid segments.

In one example, the system 100 can include a detachable registrationfeature 132 including a magnet as the grid adhesive mechanism 138 and aweaker magnet as the mounting member coupling mechanism 140. Thus, inthis example, the system 100 includes a detachable registration feature132: magnetically coupled to the mounting member 110 with a firstmagnetic coupling force; and configured to magnetically couple to theassembly of grid segments with a second magnetic coupling force greaterthan the first magnetic coupling force.

In another example, the system 100 can include a detachable registrationfeature 132 including a non-magnetic adhesive mechanism—such as a flatsurface coated in a chemical adhesive—as the grid adhesive mechanism 138and a magnet as the mounting member coupling mechanism 140. Thus, inthis example, the system 100 includes a detachable registration feature132: magnetically coupled to the mounting member 110 with a magneticcoupling force; and configured to adhere to the assembly of gridsegments with a non-magnetic adhesive force greater than the magneticcoupling force.

In yet another example, the system 100 can include a detachableregistration feature 132 including the grid adhesive mechanism 138 and amechanical coupling—such as latch, buckle, snap, or any other mechanicalcoupling—as the mounting member coupling mechanism 140. In this example,as user may operate the mechanical coupling (e.g., to disengage thelatch or buckle) in order to decouple the mounting member 110 from thedetachable registration feature 132. Thus, the system 100 can include adetachable registration feature: mechanically coupled to the mountingmember 110; and configured to adhere to the assembly of grid segments.

In another implementation, the system 100 can include a detachableregistration feature 132 that couples to the assembly of grid segmentsmore strongly than the set of magnets 120 magnetically couple to theassembly of grid segments in order to reduce the frequency with which auser may accidentally displace or remove the detachable registrationfeature 132 from the assembly of grid segments while attempting toremove only the mounting member 110 and the attached ceiling fixture.Thus, the system 100 includes: the set of magnets 120 (e.g., the firstmagnet 122 and the second magnet 124) characterized by a combinedmagnetic coupling force to the assembly of grid segments; and thedetachable registration feature 132 configured to adhere to the assemblyof grid segments with an adhesive force greater than the combinedmagnetic coupling force and the adhesive force.

In yet another implementation, the detachable registration feature 132can include a rubberized contact surface 142 in order to increasefriction between the detachable registration feature 132 and theassembly of grid segments during magnetic coupling of the detachableregistration feature 132 to the assembly of grid segments, therebyincreasing the shear force at the upper surface of the detachableregistration feature 132 required to displace the detachableregistration feature 132 along the surface of the assembly of gridsegments. More specifically, the system 100 can include a detachableregistration feature 132 a rubberized contact surface 142, therubberized contact surface configured to contact the assembly of gridsegments while the detachable registration feature 132 is adhered to theassembly of grid segments. Thus, the rubberized contact surface 142 canprevent slippage of the detachable registration feature relative to theassembly of grid segments and ensure the repeatability in thereplacement of the mounting member 110 onto the grid ceiling based onthe detachable registration feature.

8. Magnet and Registration Feature Configurations

Generally, the system 100 can be configured in a number of variationsspecific to particular applications of the system 100. Morespecifically, each variation of the system 100 includes an arrangementof the set of magnets 120 and registration features 130 that areconfigured to engage with a particular position—such as a position inline with a grid segment or a position along a grid segment offset froma grid intersection—in the repeated pattern of the grid of the gridceiling. Additionally, the system 100 can include a variable number ofmagnets in the set of magnets 120 to constrain the positioning of thesystem 100 and to vary the maximum weight that can be supported by theset of magnets 120.

Any of the variations described below can include additional magnetsarranged to engage with the same grid segments of the grid ceiling asthe enumerated magnets in order to provide additional magnetic force tosecure the system 100 to the grid ceiling.

8.1 Two-Magnet in-Line Registration Variation

As shown in FIG. 1 , in the two-magnet parallel registration variationof the system 100, the system 100 can include a set of two magnetsand/or a registration feature 130 in-line with these two magnets. Morespecifically, the system 100 can include a registration feature 130 ordetachable registration feature 132 aligned with a first magnet 122 anda second magnet 124 (while transiently coupled to the mounting member110, in implementations including the detachable registration feature132). Thus, the system 100 in this variation can be magnetically coupledalong any straight segment of the grid and is constrained along thisstraight segment by the set of magnets 120 and/or the registrationfeature 130 in-line with these magnets. Therefore, this variation of thesystem 100 can be utilized in applications where one-dimensionaltranslation/adjustment of the system 100 (e.g., translation along thestraight segment of the grid) is desirable.

In one implementation of this variation, the system 100 includesregistration feature(s) 130 arranged on either side of the two in-linemagnets to aid a user in guiding the system 100 in between tegularpanels of the grid ceiling in order to magnetically couple the system100 to the grid of the grid ceiling. Alternatively, the system 100 caninclude a registration feature 130 between the set of two magnets inorder to center the system 100 relative to the tegular panels on eitherside of the grid segment to which the system 100 is magneticallycoupled.

8.2 Two-Magnet Perpendicular Registration Variation

As shown in FIG. 2 , in the two-magnet perpendicular registrationvariation, the system 100 includes a set of two magnets and aregistration feature 130 arranged perpendicular to the in-line magnets.More specifically, the system 100 can include a registration feature 130or a detachable registration feature 132 arranged perpendicular to afirst magnet 122 and a second magnet 124 (while transiently coupled tothe mounting member 110, in implementations including the detachableregistration feature). Thus, the system 100, in this variation, can bemagnetically coupled at rotationally symmetric positions about a gridintersection in the ceiling grid and is fully constrained in thisposition by the set of two magnets and the perpendicular registrationfeature 130. Therefore, this variation of the system 100 can be utilizedin applications that require only 90-degree incremental rotationaladjustment and the magnetic coupling force of only two-magnets.

In one implementation of this variation, the system 100 includes aregistration feature 130 on either side of the two in-line magnets (andperpendicular to these magnets) to enable this registration feature 130to fit between tegular panels on either side of the grid segmentperpendicular to the grid segment to which the set of two magnets aremagnetically coupled.

Alternatively, the system 100 can include a registration feature 130between the set of two magnets and perpendicular to the in-line set oftwo magnets, thereby enabling the system 100 to span an intersection ofthe grid of the grid ceiling. More specifically, the system 100 caninclude a registration feature 130 or a detachable registration feature132 perpendicular to and arranged between the first magnet 122 and thesecond magnet 124 while transiently coupled to the mounting member 110.

In another implementation of this variation, the system 100 can includea single registration feature laterally offset (on one side) andperpendicular to the set of two magnets. More specifically, the system100 can include a registration feature 130 or a detachable registrationfeature 132 laterally offset from the first magnet 122 in a firstdirection and the second magnet 124 in the first direction.

8.3 Three-Magnet Variation

As shown in FIG. 3 , in the three-magnet variation, the system 100includes a set of three magnets. More specifically, the system 100 caninclude a third magnet 126 that is fixed to the upper face 112 andcharacterized by the same height as the first magnet 122 and the secondmagnet 126. Thus, the system 100 in this variation can be magneticallycoupled at rotationally symmetric positions about a grid intersection inthe grid of the ceiling grid and is fully constrained in this positionby two of the set of three magnets magnetically coupled to a first gridsegment while the third of the set of three magnets is magneticallycoupled to a second perpendicular grid segment. Therefore, thisvariation of the system 100 can be utilized in applications that requireonly 90-degree incremental rotational adjustment and the magneticcoupling force of three magnets.

In one implementation of this variation, the system 100 includes twoin-line magnets and one magnet offset from the line formed by the twoin-line magnets and arranged in-between these two magnets in thedimension parallel with this line, thus forming an acute trianglebetween the set of three magnets. In this implementation, the system 100can be magnetically coupled in a position that is more closely centeredto the grid intersection in the grid ceiling.

Alternatively, the system 100 includes two in-line magnets and onemagnet offset from the line formed by the two in-line magnets andarranged on either side of the two magnets in the dimension parallelwith this line, thus forming an obtuse triangle between the set of threemagnets. In this implementation, the system 100 can be magneticallycoupled in a position offset from the intersection in the grid ceilingalong a grid segment extending from this grid intersection.

8.4 Four-Magnet Variation

A shown in FIG. 4 , in the four-magnet variation, the system 100includes a set of four magnets arranged in a cross configuration (e.g.,two sets of in-line magnets forming two perpendicular lines). Morespecifically, the system 100 can include: a third magnet 126 fixed tothe upper surface 112 and characterized by a first height (e.g., thesame height as the first magnet 122 and the second magnet 124); and afourth magnet 128 fixed to the upper surface 112, characterized by thefirst height, and aligned with the third magnet 126 perpendicular to thefirst magnet 122 and the second magnet 124. Thus, the system 100 in thisvariation can be magnetically coupled at rotationally symmetricpositions about a grid intersection in the ceiling grid and is fullyconstrained in this position by the set of four magnets, where a firstset of two of the four magnets is magnetically coupled to a first gridsegment and a second set of two of the four magnets is magneticallycoupled to a second grid segment perpendicular to the first gridsegment. Therefore, this variation of the system 100 can be utilized inapplications that require only 90-degree incremental rotationaladjustment and the magnetic coupling force of four magnets.

In one implementation of this variation, the system 100 includes a firstset of two in-line magnets forming a first line and a second set of twoin-line magnets forming a second line perpendicular to the first linewhere the second perpendicular line passes in-between the first set oftwo magnets. Thus, in this implementation, the system 100 can becentrally positioned under a grid intersection of the ceiling grid.

Alternatively, the system 100 includes a first set of two in-linemagnets forming a first line and a second set of two in-line magnetsforming a second line perpendicular to the first line wherein the secondperpendicular line does not pass between the first set of two magnets.Thus, in this implementation, the system 100 can be positioned offsetfrom a grid intersection of the ceiling grid.

9. Integrated Fixture

As shown in FIG. 5 , in one variation, the system 100 is integrated withthe attached ceiling fixture (e.g., as a component placed along the topsurface of the ceiling fixture). More specifically, the system caninclude a mounting member 110 integrated with a chassis of the ceilingfixture. In this implementation, the system 100 includes a mountingmember 110 that also acts as the chassis 116 of the ceiling fixture. Forexample, the system 100 can include a mounting member 110 that alsofunctions as the top surface of the image sensor. In thisimplementation, the system 100 includes the set of magnets 120 andregistration features 130 that are directly integrated with the uppersurface of the attached ceiling fixture that is acting as the mountingmember 110.

10. Mounting Kit

As shown in FIGS. 6, 7, and 8 , a mounting kit 200 can include thesystem 100, as well as a set of adapters, to enable the system 100 tomore securely mount a variety of ceiling fixtures to a variety ofceilings and/or other surfaces. More specifically, the mounting kit 200can include the system 100 and a set of fixture adapters, drywalladapters, non-tegular adapters, and/or other ceiling or wall adapters,each of which are further described below.

10.1 Fixture Adapters

As shown in FIG. 6 , the mounting kit 200 can include an adapter or setof adapters, where each adapter attaches to a particular type of ceilingfixture. More specifically, the adapter can include an adapter memberthat is configured to attach to the ceiling fixture at its upper face112 and the mounting member 110 at its lower surface. The adapter membercan include mounting brackets, through holes, countersunk and/orthreaded holes, mechanical clips, adhesives, studs (screws), clearancesfor attaching to the ceiling fixture via cable ties, or any otherattachment mechanism that enables a single skew of the mounting member110 to be utilized with many types of ceiling fixtures, which mayrequire differing mounting mechanisms. Thus, mounting kit 200 caninclude a fixture adapter 210: configured to attach to the mountingmember 110 of the system 100; and configured to attach to a chassis ofthe image sensor.

10.2 Ceiling Adapters

Generally, as shown in FIG. 7 , the mounting kit 200 can also include aceiling adapter or a set of ceiling adapters configured to enable thesystem 100 to attach to other types of ceilings—such as non-tegular gridceilings or ceilings that do not include a ferromagnetic grid such asdrywall ceilings. More specifically, the mounting kit 200 can includeceiling adapters that further include ferromagnetic elements that arealigned with the arrangement of the set of magnets 120. Additionally,the mounting kit 200 can include a ceiling adapter that includescorresponding features to the registration features 130 of the system100. Furthermore, the mounting kit 200 can include a ceiling adapterthat includes another suitable attachment method to attach the system100 to a particular type of ceiling. Thus, in this implementation, thesystem 100 is configured to attach via magnetic coupling of the set ofmagnets 120 to ferromagnetic features of the ceiling adapter arrangedproximal to the lower surface of the ceiling adapter. The ceilingadapter includes a set of mounting features arranged about its uppersurface configured to mount to a specific type of ceiling, such as anon-tegular grid ceiling or a drywall ceiling.

In one example, the mounting kit 200 includes a drywall ceiling adapter220 configured to attach to a drywall ceiling via attachment to aspecific ceiling mounted drywall anchor. More specifically, the mountingkit 200 can include a drywall ceiling adapter 220: configured to attachto a drywall ceiling; comprising a first ferromagnetic element 222configured to engage with the first magnet 122; and comprising a secondferromagnetic element 224 configured to engage with the second magnet124.

As shown in FIG. 8 , mounting kit 200 can include a ceiling adapter formounting to non-tegular grid ceiling (i.e. grid ceilings where theceiling panels are recessed above the lower surface defined by thegrid). In this implementation, instead of including a ceiling adapterthat attaches to the system 100 via magnetic coupling with the set ofmagnets 120, this non-tegular adapter 230 can secure to the uppersurface of the registration features 130 (e.g., via threaded holes onthe upper surface of the registration features 130) and can define aU-shaped bracket with an internal width greater than the width of thegrid segments of the grid ceiling. Additionally, the system 100 caninclude registration features 130 modified by the non-tegular adapter230, which is configured to aid a user in placing the system 100 suchthat it aligns with the T-bars extending below the recessed panels ofthe non-tegular grid ceiling. Thus, the mounting kit 200 can include anon-tegular adapter 230: defining a bracket characterized by an internalwidth greater than a width of a non-tegular grid segment in the assemblyof grid segments; and configured to engage with the non-tegular gridsegment while the first magnet 122 and the second magnet 124 aremagnetically coupled to the assembly of grid segments; and configured toconstrain an orientation and a location of the mounting member 110relative to the assembly of grid segments in response to engagement withthe non-tegular grid segment and while the first magnet 122 and thesecond magnet 124 are magnetically coupled to the assembly of gridsegments.

However, the system 100 can include a ceiling adapter 220 configured toattach to any type of ceiling.

The systems and methods described herein can be embodied and/orimplemented at least in part as a machine configured to receive acomputer-readable medium storing computer-readable instructions. Theinstructions can be executed by computer-executable componentsintegrated with the application, applet, host, server, network, website,communication service, communication interface,hardware/firmware/software elements of a user computer or mobile device,wristband, smartphone, or any suitable combination thereof. Othersystems and methods of the embodiment can be embodied and/or implementedat least in part as a machine configured to receive a computer-readablemedium storing computer-readable instructions. The instructions can beexecuted by computer-executable components integrated bycomputer-executable components integrated with apparatuses and networksof the type described above. The computer-readable medium can be storedon any suitable computer readable media such as RAMs, ROMs, flashmemory, EEPROMs, optical devices (CD or DVD), hard drives, floppydrives, or any suitable device. The computer-executable component can bea processor but any suitable dedicated hardware device can(alternatively or additionally) execute the instructions.

As a person skilled in the art will recognize from the previous detaileddescription and from the figures and claims, modifications and changescan be made to the embodiments of the invention without departing fromthe scope of this invention as defined in the following claims.

We claim:
 1. A system for repeatably mounting an image sensor to a gridceiling comprising a set of ceiling tiles supported by an assembly ofgrid segments, the system comprising: a mounting member defining anupper face; a first magnet: coupled to the upper face; characterized bya first height greater than a protrusion distance of the outer surfaceof a ceiling tile in the set of ceiling tiles below a grid segment inthe assembly of grid segments; and characterized by a first width lessthan an exposed width of the grid segment; a second magnet: coupled tothe upper face; and characterized by the first height; a detachableregistration feature: transiently coupled to the mounting member;characterized by a second width less than the exposed width of the gridsegment; configured to align with the assembly of grid segments whilethe first magnet and the second magnet are magnetically coupled to theassembly of grid segments; configured to couple to the assembly of gridsegments while the first magnet and the second magnet are magneticallycoupled to the assembly of grid segments; configured to detach from theupper face and remain coupled to the assembly of grid segments inresponse to vertical displacement of the upper face away from theassembly of grid segments; and defining an engagement surface:configured to engage the mounting member in response to replacement ofthe first magnet and the second magnet against the assembly of gridsegments over the detachable registration feature; and configured toconstrain an orientation and a location of the mounting member relativeto the assembly of grid segments in response to engagement with themounting member and while the first magnet and the second magnet aremagnetically coupled to the assembly of grid segments.
 2. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the mounting member defines an interlocking surface:configured to engage the engagement surface in response to replacementof the first magnet and the second magnet against the assembly of gridsegments over the detachable registration feature; and configured toconstrain an orientation and a location of the mounting member relativeto the assembly of grid segments in response to engagement with themounting member and while the first magnet and the second magnet aremagnetically coupled to the assembly of grid segments.
 3. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the detachable registration feature: is transientlycoupled to the mounting member with a first adhesive force; and isconfigured to couple to the assembly of grid segments with a secondadhesive force greater than the first adhesive force.
 4. The system ofclaim 3: wherein the first magnet and the second magnet arecharacterized by a combined magnetic coupling force to the assembly ofgrid segments; and wherein the detachable registration feature isconfigured to couple to the assembly of grid segments with the secondadhesive force greater than the combined magnetic coupling force and thefirst adhesive force.
 5. The system of 3, wherein the detachableregistration feature: is magnetically coupled to the mounting memberwith a first magnetic coupling force; and is configured to magneticallycouple to the assembly of grid segments with a second magnetic couplingforce greater than the first magnetic coupling force.
 6. The system ofclaim 3, wherein the detachable registration feature: is magneticallycoupled to the mounting member with a magnetic coupling force; and isconfigured to couple to the assembly of grid segments with anon-magnetic adhesive force greater than the magnetic coupling force. 7.The system of claim 1, wherein the detachable registration featuredefines a rubberized contact surface configured to contact the assemblyof grid segments while the detachable registration feature is coupled tothe assembly of grid segments.
 8. The system of claim 1, wherein thedetachable registration feature is aligned with the first magnet and thesecond magnet while transiently coupled to the mounting member.
 9. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the detachable registration feature isarranged perpendicular to the first magnet and the second magnet whiletransiently coupled to the mounting member.
 10. The system of claim 9,wherein the detachable registration feature is arranged between thefirst magnet and the second magnet while transiently coupled to themounting member.
 11. The system of claim 9, wherein the detachableregistration feature is laterally offset from the first magnet in afirst direction and the second magnet in the first direction.
 12. Thesystem of claim 1, further comprising a third magnet: coupled to theupper face; and characterized by the first height.
 13. The system ofclaim 1, further comprising: a third magnet: coupled to the upper face;and characterized by the first height; and a fourth magnet: coupled tothe upper face; characterized by the first height; and aligned with thethird magnet perpendicular to the first magnet and the second magnet.14. The system of claim 1, wherein the mounting member is integratedwith a chassis of the ceiling fixture.
 15. A kit for repeatably mountingan image sensor to a grid ceiling comprising a set of ceiling tilessupported by an assembly of grid segments, the kit comprising: amounting assembly comprising: a mounting member defining an upper face;a first magnet: coupled to the upper face; characterized by a firstheight greater than a protrusion distance of the outer surface of aceiling tile in the set of ceiling tiles below a grid segment in theassembly of grid segments; and characterized by a first width less thanan exposed width of the grid segment; a second magnet: coupled to theupper face; and characterized by the first height; a detachableregistration feature: transiently coupled to the mounting member;characterized by a second width less than the exposed width of the gridsegment; configured to align with the assembly of grid segments whilethe first magnet and the second magnet are magnetically coupled to theassembly of grid segments; configured to couple to the assembly of gridsegments while the first magnet and the second magnet are magneticallycoupled to the assembly of grid segments; and configured to detach fromthe upper face and remain coupled to the assembly of grid segments inresponse to vertical displacement of the upper face away from theassembly of grid segments; and a non-tegular adapter: defining a bracketcharacterized by an internal width greater than a width of a non-tegulargrid segment in the assembly of grid segments; configured to engage thenon-tegular grid segment while the first magnet and the second magnetare magnetically coupled to the assembly of grid segments; andconfigured to constrain an orientation and a location of the mountingmember relative to the assembly of grid segments in response toengagement with the non-tegular grid segment and while the first magnetand the second magnet are magnetically coupled to the assembly of gridsegments.
 16. The kit of claim 15, further comprising a fixture adapter:configured to couple to the mounting member of the mounting assembly;and configured to couple to a chassis of the image sensor.
 17. The kitof claim 15, further comprising a drywall ceiling adapter: configured tocouple to a drywall ceiling; comprising a first ferromagnetic elementconfigured to engage the first magnet; and comprising a secondferromagnetic element configured to engage the second magnet.
 18. Asystem for repeatably mounting an image sensor to a grid ceilingcomprising a set of ceiling tiles supported by an assembly of gridsegments, the system comprising: a mounting member: defining an upperface; defining an interlocking surface with an engagement surface of adetachable registration feature: configured to engage the engagementsurface in response to replacement of a first magnet and a second magnetagainst the assembly of grid segments over the detachable registrationfeature; and configured to constrain an orientation and a location ofthe mounting member relative to the assembly of grid segments inresponse to engagement with the mounting member and while the firstmagnet and the second magnet are magnetically coupled to the assembly ofgrid segments; the first magnet: coupled to the upper face;characterized by a first height greater than a protrusion distance ofthe outer surface of a ceiling tile in the set of ceiling tiles below agrid segment in the assembly of grid segments; and characterized by afirst width less than an exposed width of the grid segment; the secondmagnet: coupled to the upper face; and characterized by the firstheight; and the detachable registration feature: transiently coupled tothe mounting member; characterized by a second width less than theexposed width of the grid segment; configured to align with the assemblyof grid segments while the first magnet and the second magnet aremagnetically coupled to the assembly of grid segments; configured tocouple to the assembly of grid segments while the first magnet and thesecond magnet are magnetically coupled to the assembly of grid segments;configured to detach from the upper face and remain coupled to theassembly of grid segments in response to vertical displacement of theupper face away from the assembly of grid segments; and defining theengagement surface with the mounting member.
 19. The method of claim 1,wherein the mounting member: defines a lower face opposite the upperface; and defines a visual indicator arranged on the lower face andconfigured to constrain the orientation of the mounting member.
 20. Themethod of claim 15, wherein the detachable registration feature ischaracterized by a second height less than the first height.